We must truly understand the purpose of this life. There is nothing wrong with having a house, but what do we do with that house? What is our motivation for having it? There is nothing wrong with having money, but what purpose do we earn it for? If we are God’s children, bought with a price fully paid, then we do not belong to ourselves. Whether we eat, drink, or do anything else, everything must be done for the Lord. So, how can we know what is needed for our peace? Do not desire what God does not want us to expect, but desire what God wants us to choose.
The focus is not on the object itself. As mentioned earlier, the issue is not the house, money, vehicle, or title in themselves, but what we do with them. What is our purpose for having money? What are we seeking from rank or academic titles? Is it for personal honor, or as a tool for serving God?
For this, the inner person needs to be processed and shaped. When we are in church, in Bible study, or when we hear the Voice of Truth, we are processing our inner being. Going to church is not merely to perform liturgy, because our true liturgy does not begin in church — it starts from the moment we wake up until we go to bed at night. For example, a mother cleaning the house, managing work, instructing helpers, preparing meals for the children, and completing various other tasks — all these are part of her life’s liturgy. This is her proper form of worship, not just religious ceremonies as found in many different religions.
We do not have rigid ceremonial rules. The Bible never states that a worship service must start at a particular time, begin with singing, or be accompanied by clapping hands. These corporate gatherings are relative, flexible, and dynamic. Music may be used or not. Clapping may be used or not. These are minor things. What matters most is how we live from morning until night — that is our ritual, our liturgy, and our living worship.
To understand what is genuinely needed for peace, there is a key: God’s children who want to be sensitive to His will must see this world as a temporary dwelling, not a permanent dwelling. God wants us to be like Christ. And becoming a faithful Christian is not an easy matter.
Therefore, when living in a pluralistic society, we must not force people to convert to Christianity. It is enough to testify through our way of life so that people can witness God’s goodness through us. They might say, “A person this good surely cannot have the wrong God.” That is enough. In this way, we can live well in society. If we have come to understand that liturgy is not merely church service but our entire life, then we are already worshiping God in spirit and truth.
In Revelation chapters 6 to 8, the Bible speaks of the seals. In ancient times, seals were used to close scrolls, and only when the seal was broken could the contents be read. These passages tell us that the seals can only be opened by the Lord. Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God because His death on the cross made Him worthy to open the seals.
When the first seal was opened, a white horse appeared, followed by a red horse, a black horse, and a pale green horse. The rider of the white horse carried a bow, but no arrows, only the bow, which symbolizes the movements that stir the world. Whatever happens in this world, God is the one who authorizes it. The white horse represents the spread of Christianity to Europe and the world at that time without warfare. Christianity spread the truth without violence. The rider carried only a bow, without arrows.